I LIKE YOUR STYLE: A TRIBUTE TO JOE LAYTON, hosted by six-time Emmy Award winner Bruce Vilanch, will take place Monday, October 20th, 2014, at 7 pm, St. Luke's Theater, 308 West 46th St., NYC. Featuring performances by Loni Ackerman, Jill O'Hara, Walter Willison, rare video footage of Layton shows, and a gaggle of gypsies to discuss Joe's Life and Legacy. (more...)

Dancers Over 40 honors prolific director/choreographer Joe Layton, who crossed all mediums to create memorable musicals, TV specials, concerts and much more, including Two By Two, Sail Away, Once Upon a Mattress, Sound of Music, No Strings, Dear World, George M!, and Barnum, just to name a few. DO40 members who have worked with Joe on multiple shows and will be panelists include Nicole Barth, James Dybas, Dorothy Frank Danner, Carolyn Kirsch, Sondra Lee, Lawrence Leritz, Patti Mariano, Lawrence Merritt and Mary Zahn. (more...)

The Ziegfeld Society will present Tony Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner Walter Willison in JOLSON, MY DAD & ME on Saturday, September 27th. The multi-media musical weaves together the songs of Al Jolson to tell the story of his father as a young man, growing up in the early part of the 20th Century, through Prohibition, The Great Depression, WWII, and into the present day, and of his own personal encounters with such iconic Jolson associates as Ruby Keeler, Patsy Kelly, Judy Garland, Richard Rodgers, Irving Berlin and others. Featuring such all-time American Songbook classics as 'Rockabye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody', 'Swanee', 'You Made Ne Love You' and many more. (more...)

In advance of Classic Stage Company's rare production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1947 musical Allegro, CSC's artistic director Brian Kulick and Tony Award-winning director John Doyle lead a conversation on the legendary team's most personal, groundbreaking and little-known work. The discussion also includes Ted Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company, and cast members George Abud, Claybourne Elder, and Jane Pfitsch. (more...)

In advance of Classic Stage Company's rare production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 1947 musical Allegro, CSC's artistic director Brian Kulick and Tony Award-winning director John Doyle lead a conversation on the legendary team's most personal, groundbreaking and little-known work. The discussion also includes Ted Chapin, president and executive director of Rodgers & Hammerstein: An Imagem Company, and cast members George Abud, Claybourne Elder, and Jane Pfitsch. (more...)

Pittsburgh CLO has announced casting for the 23rd annual production of A Musical Christmas Carol this December at the Byham Theater. This talented cast will feature Pittsburgh CLO veterans and an exciting group of newcomers, led by Pittsburgh's own Tom Atkins as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tickets are now available by calling 412-456-6666, online at pittsburghCLO.org or at the Theater Square Box Office. (more...)

The British are coming to Monmouth for Theater at Monmouth's 45th season. The British Invasion, running from June 28 through September 28, 2014, features a line-up of plays from England's greatest playwrights. (more...)

As a teen in Tulsa, Oklahoma who aspired to be a dramatic actor, Chicago-born Jason Graae was advised to 'Be a Clown' and to 'Make 'em Laugh'. Not everyone can fill the shoes of a clown; those shoes are pretty damn big. But for Graae, whose mind never stops clicking with its razor-sharp wit, fierce timing and shotgun-speed spontaneity, clowning seemed the natural choice, and thank heaven for us, he not only followed through but has turned into one of the most endearing comic performers the world has ever known. On Monday March 10, Graae premiered his brand new cabaret show 49 1/2 Shades of Graae at Sterling's Upstairs at the Federal to an ecstatic packed house. Introducing his material, he said it was based on the porn novel 50 Shades of Grey, but...'This is gonna be dirtier.' 'Dirty' in Graae terminology means... yes, indeed, some smut thrown in, but with a whole lot of charm, pizazz and miles and miles of genuine humor. There are a few serious scenarios included in the mostly autobiographical show, but every one with heart and banners waving high. And when I mean autobiographical, there are not only career stories but personal anecdotes as well. Expertly staged by Heather Lee and with fab musical direction from John Boswell, the evening was, to quote Graae, in an improv-takeoff of my supposed BWW review, 'the best show I saw in NoHo all day...' and for those lucky enough to get reservations, it will repeat next Sunday March 16. (more...)

William Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, As You Like It, opens at Theater at Monmouth on Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Set in the 1940s, As You Like It explores the ups and downs of love and courtship. Filled with mistaken identities and misplaced devotion, As You Like It lampoons the often puzzling, yet utterly gratifying, labor of love. (more...)

In Episode 214, award-winning musical theatre writer Joel B. New sat down with Tiffan Borelli, an actress, singer, teacher, and founding member of Core Artists Ensemble, a New York-based theatre company derived from her years at New York's Acting institute, The Barrow Group. (more...)

The release of the movie, Noah, was big news accompanied by the usual ballyhoo. Following the noisy offering for adults, it seems only fitting that a version for young readers has been released by Lillibett Books. 'Don't Rock the Ark' is available at the company web http://www.lillibettbooks.com.
Young readers will delight in the wonderful illustrations and gentle humor in this delightful twist on the much-loved tale of Noah. The story begins with the traditional rounding-up of the animals, Two By Two, and their penning in the ark. Everything is quiet and peaceful ... until the elephants begin making a fuss, their every move rocking the ark close to capsizing, protested loudly by the other occupants. There will be chuckles at the human-like expressions and behavior of the animals as they try to keep the elephants from moving through many humorous incidents. Excitement will grow with the wonder and guessing of who or what will save the day and stop the ark from capsizing.
With years of experience in the publishing industry as a designer, author, and illustrator, Elizabeth Rodger delivers a consistent quality of excellence throughout this big handsome hardbound, 'Don't Rock the Ark.'
A native of Scotland, Rodger graduated from the Glasgow School of art, a world renowned institution accredited by the University of Glasgow. She completed post graduate studies on children's literature and illustration, and eventually fulfilled her dream of having her titles published by major companies such as Simon & Schuster, Random House, Scholastic, Golden Books, and others.
Combined with her publishing efforts directed at children, Rodger has given presentations on the production of a book to Kindergarten and First Grade classes at a local Elementary. Volunteering in different capacities, she has devoted much energy to the well-being of local youth. As President of the local soccer club, with the help of some wonderful parents, she petitioned the Council for playing fields. Ninety acres was acquired and is now a wonderful sports complex for many activities. Rodger also coached soccer for thirteen years, and served on the Recreation Commission appointed by the Council for ten years.
Located in Sparta, Northern New Jersey, Lillibett Books is a new publishing company devoted to publishing books for children by Elizabeth Rodger. Information on future releases is available at http://www.lillibettbooks.com on the LittleKids page. And, with the releases Rodger hopes, just maybe, some children will get hooked on reading. (more...)

Today we are talking to a remarkably accomplished writer and director who has amassed numerous top entertainment trophies over the course of his long and distinguished career, including multiple Emmy Awards, Tony Awards and even a Grammy - the uniquely talented Martin Charnin. Sharing his thoughts on the forthcoming big screen adaptation of his hit musical property ANNIE as well as previewing what we can expect from the forthcoming 2014-2015 national tour, Charnin also reflects on the original production of the classic Depression-era musical and analyzes why it remains a continual cultural touchstone for generations new and old while also looking ahead to a potential Broadway production of the sequel, written with original composer Charles Strouse, ANNIE WARBUCKS. Also, Charnin touches upon his time as a member of the original cast of iconic musical WEST SIDE STORY and recounts working alongside legends such as Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents and more. Additionally, Charnin sheds some light on his illustrious string of collaborations with recently deceased composer Mary Rodgers Guettel, ranging from more than 50 songs written as a team to a string of special TV musicals as well as working together on the stage musicals HOT SPOT and THE MADWOMAN OF CENTRAL PARK WEST. Besides of all of that, Charnin also looks back to his heyday as a TV variety special helmer, having created award-winning tributes to a slew of Broadway's best composers and lyricists including George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter and many more. Plus, Charnin shares his thoughts on GLEE, how show business has changed, the possible future life for Two By Two and much, much more in this wide-ranging chat with a major Broadway notable. (more...)

William Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, As You Like It, opens at Theater at Monmouth on Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Set in the 1940s, As You Like It explores the ups and downs of love and courtship. Filled with mistaken identities and misplaced devotion, As You Like It lampoons the often puzzling, yet utterly gratifying, labor of love. (more...)

Actors Co-op takes "pride" in announcing its third show in its 2014-2015 season (and 23rd year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with the unforgettable classic, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, written by Helene Jerome, based on the novel by Jane Austen and directed by Linda Kerns. (more...)

Broadway Across America/Baltimore is proud to announce that the new U.S. National Tour of ANNIE will play January 20- February 1, 2015 at the Hippodrome Theatre in Baltimore. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin for the 19th time, this production of ANNIE will be a brand new physical incarnation of the iconic Tony Award-winning original. (more...)

After seeing the new INTO THE WOODS movie twice over the holidays, I posted on Twitter about how two of the songs had stuck with me. After a tweet conversation, my BWW colleague Jeff Walker and I decided to put our heads together to try and come up with a list of Sondheim's most hummable tunes. Despite not discussing it beforehand, Jeff ended up picking songs from the 1960s and 70s, and I filled in the gaps with numbers from the 80s and 90s. (more...)

Producers David Mirvish and Barry & Fran Weissler just announced that the Tony Award-winning Best Musical TITANIC, with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston and book by Peter Stone, will finally have its Canadian premiere in a brand new production directed by Thom Southerland. TITANIC will play a six-week engagement at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto, from July 22 through August 31. TITANIC will then berth on Broadway in the Fall of 2014. (more...)

The missionaries of The Book of Mormon have been to Des Moines before and with the reception they received during their return engagement this past week, it seems that they can drop by and say "Hello!" anytime they want. (more...)

On the evening of Thursday, January 23, The Episcopal Actors' Guild welcomes theatre legend Martin Charnin to Guild Hall, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to help local performers in need. (more...)

Artists Repertory Theatre announces an ambitious and stylistically diverse 2015/16 season of eight engaging plays. These selections emphasize Artists Rep's role as Portland's premiere mid-size regional theatre company by offering five of the most acclaimed contemporary plays in recent years, alongside two magnificent mid-20th Century classics, and the World Premiere production of the Broadway-scale musical, Cuba Libre. (more...)

JetBlue Airways (NASDAQ: JBLU) today encouraged winter-weary Washingtonians to think about summer vacation when the airline announced new seasonal service from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Nantucket, Mass. (ACK). The new non-stop route will launch June 19, 2015, and operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through September 6, 2015. Additional flights will be added for the Fourth of July holiday weekend. (more...)

LA Opera professional artists will once again collaborate with more than 300 amateur members of the Los Angeles musical community to present two performances of Benjamin Britten's Noah's Flood this spring at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Conducted by LA Opera Music Director James Conlon, the performances will take place at 7:30pm on Friday, March 6, and at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 7. (more...)

Los Angeles) January 10, 2015 — LA Opera professional artists will once again collaborate with more than 300 amateur members of the Los Angeles musical community to present two performances of Benjamin Britten's Noah's Flood this spring at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Conducted by LA Opera Music Director James Conlon, the performances will take place at 7:30pm on Friday, March 6, and at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 7. (more...)

William Shakespeare's pastoral comedy, As You Like It, opens at Theater at Monmouth on Friday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m. Set in the 1940s, As You Like It explores the ups and downs of love and courtship. Filled with mistaken identities and misplaced devotion, As You Like It lampoons the often puzzling, yet utterly gratifying, labor of love. (more...)

It was announced today that Michael Scott (110 in the Shade, Follies), Trisha Rapier (Sister Act, The Boy From Oz), Chelsie Nectow, and Eileen Aurelia have joined the cast of Easter Mysteries. (more...)

There will be special presentations of Easter Mysteries a theatrical oratorio for a modern audience by John O'Boyle this Friday &Saturday, April 11 & 12 at 8pm; and on Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 7pm at the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, 263 West 86th Street (at West End Ave.) NYC. (more...)